Gardens To Visit This Summer

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GARDENS TO VISIT THIS SUMMER

Are you looking for inspirational ideas to spruce up your borders ? Well Summer is an excellent time to visit some of the many wonderful gardens we have in Yorkshire. All can inspire you to look at your own garden in a different light, from the grand houses with their grounds designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century to the smaller more modest privately owned gardens houses there are plenty to visit.

1.Stillington Lodge Gardenshas been the creation of Vanessa, an amazing woman who over the past 40 years has created arguably one of the finest cottage gardens in Yorkshire, if not the whole of the British Isles. Her enthusiasm is infectious and you are bound to not leave empty handed as there is an extensive nursery of unusual plants and artwork to buy. Workshops run throughout the year from basket waving to improving your knowledge and gardening skills. There is a tea room and exhibition of local artists

2.The Walled Garden at Scampston was created by Dutchman Piet Oldorf after the garden had laid derelict for over fifty years. Today it has a modern feel and compliments the Capability Brown parkland.

3.You could be mistaken that you are in the middle of Provence if you visit Yorkshire Lavender. It is at its best at this time of the year with all the lavender out in bloom. Situated on the Howardian Hills it is a welcome stop en route from York to the Moors of Coast or simply just for a day out. There is an excellent café and we recommend their lavender cake.

4.RHS Harlow Carr is always a garden with plenty of interest at whatever time of year you visit and now is no exception. The interesting cacti and alpine collections I n the glass houses are easy to miss as there is so much on to see in the wide open borders that have plenty of colour at this time of the year.

5.Helmsley Walled Garden is another colourful garden with plenty of interest. Set against the stunning background of Helmsley Castle it is a unique location. The café is a welcome spot to enjoy a light lunch before or after your visit and they have an excellent range of plants for sale as well as metal stakes with the poppy head seeds on which fetch a premium at The Chelsea Flower Show.

6.Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal – A firm family favourite the water gardens at Studley Royal make a great day out whatever the weather. The fabulous water gardens and vistas, laid out by the great 18th century landscape architect Capability Brown.

7.A quiet oasis in the centre of Scarborough are South Cliff Gardens that stretch from Spa Bridge along the cliff towards the centre of town. The gardens took over 40 years to create and were started in 1889. There is an Italian Garden with their formal terraces, woodland slopes and a lily pond. has many hidden secrets as you walk through the woodland slopes.

8. Bolton Castle has only in the past few years has reinstated this wonderful medieval garden. The herb garden is stocked with over 50 varieties of culinary and medicinal herbs and a new addition is the vineyard , something that historically would have not survived so far north, but with modern hybrid varieties will in time produce up to 1000 bottles of wine a year. The private maze was planted in time to reach maturity for the year 2000 millennium celebrations and provides endless entertainment for young and old alike.

9.Burton Agnes Hall’s award winning gardens offer something for everyone, from the walled garden containing over four thousand different plant species, herbaceous borders, a jungle garden and national collection of campanulas, to the woodland walk with creepy crawlies to spot, as well as the maze and giant games for children and adults alike.

10.Valley Gardens in Harrogate are a hidden gem of abundant planting and year round interest there is always something to look at and admire. A quiet oasis in the centre of town it once hosted the bi-annual Harrogate Flower Show until it moved to the Great Yorkshire Showground on the edge of town. In the summer there are plenty of activities, a paddling pool and boating late and a band stand with regular Sunday afternoon concerts to keep everyone smiling!